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The Gift of Presence

In relationships the presence of someone you love is one of the things you will truly desire. The presence of someone you love creates enjoyable communion or fellowship. This kind of fellowship has certain elements that make the experience to feel good. It displays nonjudgmental attitudes and that is what makes it feel so sweet. This kind of fellowship also contains an element of security which expresses itself in acts of caring. A relationship that feels unsafe will lack these elements.

When I was nine years old I always longed for the presence of my father. This was due to the fact that I loved him so much. He loved and cared for me as much as I loved him too. Those days were special to me and his presence contributed to them being very special days. We did not have television at home, but my sister and I spent most evenings going through books in the living room. The dictionary was our favorite book because it had a lot of pages and pictures. I cannot recall how many times we went through that dictionary, but we did and really enjoyed our time together.

During those same evenings we looked forward to being with our father because we loved him. He often came home with a bag full of soft drinks and that made us feel happy. It was wonderful, but we did not love him because of the drinks and good gifts he brought for us. We loved him for some unexplainable reason and what we longed for was his presence. His presence was important to my sister and me because it was like a gift. This is what really made home a special place.

If you are a parent, give the gift of your presence to your children whenever you have the opportunity. Your presence is more special than tasty snacks or special gifts that you can give to them. Your presence as a father or mother will help your children to have sweet memories long after they have left home. Your presence can be a special gift therefore uses it to impact your “child parent” relationship which you have with your children. Make your home a special place.

“During those same evenings we looked forward to being with our father because we loved him. He often came home with a bag full of soft drinks and that made us feel happy. It was wonderful, but we did not love him because of the drinks and good gifts he brought for us. We loved him for some unexplainable reason and what we longed for was his presence. His presence was important to my sister and me because it was like a gift. This is what really made home a special place.”
This part of your article was the most wonderful one and I loved the idea of loving dad not for the drinks he buys but for some unexplainable reason (I call it unconditional love). And I relate this to the presence of God and the way long of it.
In addition as a father I learned “how important my presence is to my kids” and I am determined to do it for them.
Tesfom